Smart launches PHP 99 5G-ready SIM card for Home WiFi routers
PHILIPPINES 10:42

Smart launches PHP 99 5G-ready SIM card for Home WiFi routers

Philippine operator Smart Communications has launched the Smart Home WiFi SIM 99, a dedicated 5G-ready SIM card designed exclusively for Smart or PLDT Home WiFi routers. Available for PHP 99, the standalone SIM includes 2GB of non-expiring data, allowing customers to reuse existing router hardware without purchasing new equipment.

Microsoft study shows Irish workers recognise value of AI skills
IRELAND 10:32

Microsoft study shows Irish workers recognise value of AI skills

Almost half (47%) of workers in Ireland now say AI is making them consider a career change, up from 34 percent in 2025, according to the 2026 Work Trend Index from Microsoft Ireland. The latest report shows that Irish workers are more focused on future-ready skills, with 75 percent saying those with a wide range of skills will become more valuable. Two thirds (65%) of Irish workers expecting the future of work to focus more on flexible skills over fixed roles. 

ZTE debuts AI Video Solution at IBC
CHINA 10:31

ZTE debuts AI Video Solution at IBC

ZTE formally introduced its end-to-end AI Video Solution at the IBC 2026 conference in Amsterdam. The platform is designed to help OTT and IPTV operators modernise service delivery by integrating AI and smart home enhancements. Key features include an AI EPG+ tool that lets end users discover content through natural voice commands and multi-faceted search queries based on a programme's plot, dialogue and cast. AI EPG+ supports self-service troubleshooting and automatically streamlines on-board memory usage.

CelcomDigi brings new iPhone 18, iPhone Duo smartphones to Malaysia
MALAYSIA 10:20

CelcomDigi brings new iPhone 18, iPhone Duo smartphones to Malaysia

CelcomDigi has announced it will offer Apple's latest products including the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5, on the local market. Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch models, and AirPods 5 are currently open, with general availability starting 18 September. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin on 16 October, ahead of its retail release on 23 October.

Sonatel obtains court suspension of Starlink services in legal licensing appeal
SENEGAL 10:05

Sonatel obtains court suspension of Starlink services in legal licensing appeal

Senegal's Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Starlink's operating authorization following a legal petition by telecom operator Sonatel, Ecofin reported. Starlink launched commercial internet services there in February under a five-year ministerial permit granted in late 2025. Sonatel argues that Starlink is exempt from the heavy regulatory and financial obligations imposed on traditional tier-one licensees, breaching competition rules and damaging its business. 

MTN Mobile Money Zambia hosts presidential team for strategic talks
ZAMBIA 10:02

MTN Mobile Money Zambia hosts presidential team for strategic talks

MTN Mobile Money Zambia said it hosted senior leadership from the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) and the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) to discuss strategic partnerships aimed at driving the national digitalization agenda and expanding financial inclusion. The visiting delegation, led by PDU Head Kusobile Stewart Kamwambi and PPDF Deputy Director General Jacqueline Saidi Chishimba, met with MTN Mobile Money Zambia CEO Komba Malukutila, chief channel and commercial officer Malunga Siwela, and chief p

Hong Kong loses more than 91,000 5G mobile subscriptions in May
HONG KONG 09:38

Hong Kong loses more than 91,000 5G mobile subscriptions in May

Hong Kong lost 315,482 mobile lines in May, ending the month with a total of 34.07 million mobile lines, according to the latest figures from the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA). The prepay base stood at 23.08 million in May, down from 23.44 million in April, while the number of postpaid lines increased to 10.99 million from 10.95 million.

Visible becomes helmet bumper partner of Minnesota Gophers
UNITED STATES 09:27

Visible becomes helmet bumper partner of Minnesota Gophers

Verizon's digital-first mobile brand Visible has announced a partnership with Gopher Athletics and Learfield's Gopher Sports Properties to become the first-ever helmet bumper partner of Minnesota Football. The Visible logo will feature on the back of all Minnesota football helmets from 12 September, making the Gophers one of the first college athletics programmes to have a corporate brand on its football helmet. 

Brazilian antitrust clears sale of Oi fixed telephony unit
BRAZIL 09:24

Brazilian antitrust clears sale of Oi fixed telephony unit

The Brazilian antitrust authority (Cade) approved transferring Oi Servicos Telefonicos (via an isolated production unit) to Metodo, with the ruling becoming final 15 calendar days after Official Gazette publication. Signed in July for BRL 60.1 million following a competitive court process, the acquisition covers legacy fixed assets like voice lines, emergency/short-code services (190/192/193), payphones, and towers. These were put up for sale during Oi's court-led bankruptcy procedure.

ZTE AI Smart Display Makes Global Debut at IBC 2026, Pioneering a New Era of Proactive Home Intelligence
GLOBAL 09:20

ZTE AI Smart Display Makes Global Debut at IBC 2026, Pioneering a New Era of Proactive Home Intelligence

ZTE Corporation announced the global debut of the AI Smart Display at IBC 2026. Compact yet powerful, the device redefines the connected home by fusing 4K entertainment, whole‑home IoT control, and agentic AI into a single, voice‑first platform that anticipates and serves the needs of every family member.

Digital Parks Africa launches Lagos facility in West African expansion
NIGERIA 09:19

Digital Parks Africa launches Lagos facility in West African expansion

Digital Parks Africa (DPA), in association with the Master Power Technologies Group, is expanding into West Africa with the development of a carrier-neutral data centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Named Nigeria Data Centre 1 (NDC1), the new facility is tailored for enterprises, financial institutions, cloud providers, and connectivity partners seeking reliable and flexible local infrastructure. NDC1. The project reinforces DPA's investment in the digital infrastructure required to drive Africa's growing connected ec

Huawei debuts 3.2 Tbps and 7.2 Tbps near-packaged optical transceivers
GLOBAL 09:17

Huawei debuts 3.2 Tbps and 7.2 Tbps near-packaged optical transceivers

Huawei has unveiled plans to launch a 7.2 Tbps near-packaged optical transceiver (NPO) chip. The NPO module will target AI data centre applications with strict requirements on power consumption and latency.  South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that Huawei's module features 36 x 200 Gbps channels, putting it in the same ball park as Broadcom's 6.4 Tbps co-packaged optical (CPO) engine. Later this year, Huawei will advance live deployments of first-generation NPO modules with 3.2 Tbps bandwidth, before in

ARMENIA 09:16

Ucom expands 5G network to 95% of population

Armenian operator Ucom said that it continues to implement its large-scale mobile network development and modernisation programme, steadily expanding access to 5G coverage and improving connectivity across the country. As a result of the ongoing modernisation of its network infrastructure, Ucom's  5G network is now available in 48 cities and more than 600 settlements, as well as along major highways and at border crossing points, providing reliable mobile connectivity to 94.6 percent of the country's popula

AZERBAIJAN 09:15

AzerTelecom and De-Cix to launch internet exchange in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan wholesale operator AzerTelecom, belonging to the Azerconnect Group and part of Neqsol Holding, and De-Cix entered into a strategic partnership to launch AZE-IX, a new internet exchange in Azerbaijan. AZE-IX will serve as a neutral platform for local and international networks, content providers, cloud service providers, and enterprises. By enabling internet traffic exchange within Azerbaijan, the platform is expected to reduce latency and enhance the performance and resilience of backbone interne

UNITED KINGDOM 09:12

Ofcom launches new online consumer hub for telecoms customers

UK regulator Ofcom has launched a new online portal called Consumer Hub to provide practical money-saving advice and tips for broadband, mobile and pay-TV customers. The online portal also provides consumers with information on common service problems and complaints processes; as well as advice for switching their broadband, landline or mobile service. 

SWEDEN 09:11

Telia handed SEK 1 mln fine over deleted law enforcement data

Swedish telecoms regulator PTS has fined Telia a total of SEK 1 million (around EUR 89,000) after a software update accidentally caused data retained for law enforcement purposes to be deleted after 10 days instead of 10 months. The error meant Telia may have given incorrect answers to about 100 enquiries from law enforcement agencies, saying it had no subscribers linked to specific IP addresses when such subscribers may have existed.

ITALY 09:10

Optima Mobile relaunches 150GB plan for under EUR 5

Italian MVNO Optima Mobile, operating on Vodafone's 4G and 5G network, has reactivated a plan first offered earlier this year with 150GB of data for under EUR 5 a month. The tariff, dubbed Super Mobile 150 Special Edition, comes with unlimited calls, 200 SMS and the 150GB data bundle at 4G speeds for EUR 4.95 a month.

UNITED STATES 09:05

Capgemini sells US federal govt business to ITC Federal

Capgemini has signed an agreement to sell Capgemini Government Solutions, its subsidiary working with the US federal government, to US IT solutions and enterprise services provider ITC Federal. Subject to customary closing conditions, the sale is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. The subsidiary accounted for 0.4 percent of Capgemini's global group revenue in 2025, and under 2 percent of its US revenue. ITC Federal provides services to federal law enforcement, defence and homeland security agenci

UNITED KINGDOM 09:00

Commsworld creates new Commercial Director role to drive growth

Commsworld, Edinburgh-based telecoms and internet infrastructure services provider, has announced the appointment of Louise Thompson to the newly-created role of Commercial Director. In this new role, she will work with the Board and management team to further expand Commsworld's business footprint across the UK, enhancing its commercial offering for private and public sector customers.

MALAWI 08:52

TNM acquires OCL data centre to boost digital infrastructure

Malawian operator TNM has completed the acquisition of the OCL data centre in Kanengo, Lilongwe. The facility expands TNM's enterprise capacity, enabling Data Centre as a Service capabilities, improved network reliability, and advanced support for its digital financial platforms like Mpamba alongside emerging technologies such as AI, the operator said. No financial details were closed. 

CZECH REPUBLIC 08:51

O2 Czechia updates educational programme Safely Online

O2 Czech Republic said that its O2 Foundation presented a new version of its educational programme Safely Online. The programme 'Your Mom vs. AI Mom' was designed in cooperation with the NMS agency to help parents, children and teachers with online safety and communication about the digital world. It offers practical instructions, educational games, professional materials and other content for free. 

CHINA 08:50

Fibocom backs Chinese AI silicon developer Yeats AI

Fibocom said it has completed a strategic investment into Yeats AI, a Chinese silicon developer specialised in on-device AI workloads. Shanghai-based Yeats AI creates edge AI processors for inference tasks, including "cross-device" solutions for agentic and physical AI applications. Founded in 2024, its existing backers include Ant Group, the Chinese fintech and payments company that counts Alibaba as a major shareholder.

UNITED KINGDOM 08:50

Channel 4 confirms plans to cut 28% of its workforce by end-2026

UK broadcaster Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra has announced the first stage of long-term transformation plan to create a simpler, more focused organisation that invests more in distinctive UK content. The restructuring will result in the loss of around 340 jobs by end-2026, equal to 28 percent of its total workforce. The first stage of the transformation strategy will create a simpler, more efficient operating model by cutting management layers, removing duplication and simplifying decision-making. A formal cons

GHANA 08:49

MTN Ghana acquires 700 MHz band licence for USD 101 million

Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) has advanced to the next phase of assigning spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands for mobile broadband and 5G services. After opening and ranking the bids from qualified applicants, it said MTN Ghana secured two lots in the 700 MHz band, the maximum allowed under the tender conditions, for a total license fee of USD 100.9 million.

Just In

10:42

Smart launches PHP 99 5G-ready SIM card for Home WiFi routers

10:32

Microsoft study shows Irish workers recognise value of AI skills

10:31

ZTE debuts AI Video Solution at IBC

10:20

CelcomDigi brings new iPhone 18, iPhone Duo smartphones to Malaysia

Commentary

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11 AUG 10:49

Can Ziggo Group creation improve visibility for the Dutch market?

2 JUL 11:26

Canal Plus misses chance to strengthen Dutch business, time for exit?

23 JUN 09:56

ACM blocks Delta/Glaspoort deal - what can KPN do?

Background

00:34

The week in telecom: iPhone comes to foldable market, European satellite summit underlines sovereign push

7 SEP 11:54

Citymesh capital injection eases doubts over Digi Belgium future

6 SEP 21:46

The week in telecom: smart wearables at Ifa, Deutsche Telekom reshuffle and Vodafone tries premium 5G

30 AUG 23:50

The week in telecom: Meta pays up, SKT and MTN monetise data centres, and mobile network-sharing in demand